Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

27 Jul 2021

Data on Foreign Hostesses on Work Passes and Social Visit Passes and Measures to Minimise Health Risks Posed by Nature of Their Interactions

Mr Don Wee asked about the number of foreign hostesses on work passes and social visit passes, and measures to reduce health risks from their interactions.
Minister Tan See Leng stated there are fewer than 50 foreign dance/bar/lounge hostesses with valid work passes, all approved before 2020, and they are allowed to perform non-hostessing jobs in permissible business activities.
Foreigners on social visit passes working as hostesses are in breach of the Immigration Act, and enforcement actions are taken against errant outlets, including permanent licence revocation.
The Government, with agencies like the Singapore Police Force, reviews enforcement to ensure strict adherence to safe management measures.

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27 Jul 2021

Take-up Rate for Community Health Assessment Team's Services Since COVID-19 Pandemic

Member of Parliament Leon Perera inquired about the take-up rate of CHAT services post-COVID-19, the applicability of CHAT's model to wider community mental health care, and the number of referrals from community mental health outreach teams established in 2020.
Perera also asked about strategies to ensure older Singaporeans access necessary mental health care, highlighting concerns for elderly mental well-being.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung responded that the questions had already been addressed through a written reply on 26 July 2021, directing attention to an official report on elderly befriender services and suicide rates.

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27 Jul 2021

Number and Profile of Singaporeans and Permanent Residents with Psychotic Disorders

Dr Wan Rizal asked for the current number of Singaporeans and Permanent Residents with psychotic disorders, a breakdown by occupation, and plans to protect them from online harassment to reduce stigma.
Based on the 2016 Singapore Mental Health Study, the lifetime prevalence of psychotic disorders is 2.3%, but specific occupation data is not collected; efforts to increase mental health literacy include the Beyond the Label campaign and a one-stop mental health portal.
Schools and higher education institutions are teaching respect, empathy, and cyber wellness, while the Media Literacy Council educates the public on online safety and the Protection from Harassment Act can be used to safeguard individuals from social media attacks.

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27 Jul 2021

Reports of Students Committing and Attempting Suicide since Start of COVID-19 Pandemic

Murali Pillai inquired about the number of students who have committed or attempted suicide or faced mental health issues since the pandemic began, whether there is an increase compared to pre-pandemic times, the contributing factors, and the Ministry of Education's steps to enhance students' mental resilience.
Chan Chun Sing highlighted a rise in the suicide incidence rate among youths aged 10 to 19 from 4.0 to 5.5 per 100,000 persons between 2019 and 2020, attributing it to pandemic-related stressors such as disrupted routines, uncertainty, and increased home conflicts, in line with global trends.
The Ministry of Education has been bolstering mental well-being through curriculum programs, trained staff for early identification, in-house counsellors, peer support leaders, and proactive measures like teacher check-ins and targeted support for vulnerable students during the pandemic.
MOE emphasized the importance of a culture of care and will continue to strengthen measures with stakeholders to ensure student safety and well-being.

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27 Jul 2021

Making Mental Health Screening and Support for New and Expectant Mothers Mandatory

The Minister confirmed that public and private obstetricians already provide mental health screening and support for expectant mothers, identifying conditions like antenatal and post-natal depression, and the MOH is formulating a Child and Maternal Health and Well-being Strategy to further support mental well-being for new and expectant parents.
Since 2007, hospitals like KKH and NUH have screened over 165,000 women for perinatal mental health with early intervention, including post-partum depression screening during outpatient reviews, and SGH has a psychiatry clinic for antenatal and post-natal depression with a multidisciplinary team.
Hospitals assess spouses for distress or paternal post-natal depression and offer referrals, while community initiatives like KidSTART screen fathers during home visits for depression and direct them to polyclinics for assessment.
The MOH will continue to review the need for further mental health screening at existing service touchpoints in both public and private sectors to better support parents.

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27 Jul 2021

Amendments to Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for FY2021/2022

The Leader of the House moved a motion to amend the Supplementary Estimates for FY2021/2022 to increase allocations for support measures tied to recent COVID-19 restrictions.
The amendments are necessary to provide additional support for workers and businesses following the reversion to Phase Two (Heightened Alert) restrictions.
The motion seeks approval to take the amendments in the Committee of Supply under specific heads of expenditure, with general assent from Members.

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27 Jul 2021

Support Measures for Phase Two (Heightened Alert) and Phase Three (Heightened Alert), and Support Measures for Phase Two (Heightened Alert)

The Minister explained that sudden COVID-19 restrictions were necessary due to unexpected clusters like KTV and Jurong Fishery Port, which threatened unvaccinated seniors and could overwhelm healthcare; future easing depends on stable hospitalisation and ICU cases, with reviews planned for September when 80% vaccination is targeted.
Immediate support measures for Phase Two and Three (Heightened Alert) cost over $2 billion, focusing on cash flow for businesses via schemes like JSS and rental relief, with flexibility for appeals and case-by-case assessments to assist affected sectors and workers.
Long-term plans include shifting from relief to building a vibrant economy, fairer society, and greener nation through Industry Transformation Maps, jobs reskilling, enhanced social safety nets, and sustainability investments, funded by sustainable fiscal strategies including the planned GST increase with offsets for lower-income households.

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27 Jul 2021

Support Measures for Phase Two (Heightened Alert) and Phase Three (Heightened Alert), and Support Measures for Phase Two (Heightened Alert)

Members called for tailored support for severely hit sectors, urging quick disbursement of rental relief, streamlined SME aid, and specific help for sports and fitness businesses, hawkers, and freelancers to prevent closures and preserve jobs.
Concerns were raised about workplace safety, migrant worker welfare, and mental health, with proposals to review safe management measures, provide childcare and parent-care leave, and destigmatize mental healthcare access.
Parliament emphasized strengthening local workforce capabilities, ensuring fair hiring practices, and preparing for endemic COVID-19 through job transformation, green investments, and clear, trust-based public health guidelines.

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27 Jul 2021

Support Measures for Phase Two (Heightened Alert) and Phase Three (Heightened Alert), and Support Measures for Phase Two (Heightened Alert)

The debate highlighted that businesses, particularly in F&B, retail, and supporting sectors, are severely impacted by the frequent and abrupt changes in COVID-19 restrictions, causing financial distress and operational uncertainty, and there were calls for more targeted and consistent support measures.
Multiple speakers emphasized the need for a clear, transparent roadmap and a public COVID-19 risk index to guide businesses and the public, with suggestions to calibrate measures more precisely, such as differentiating between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, to allow for safer reopening.
The discussion also covered broader economic resilience, including the importance of vaccination, the need for better mental health support, and long-term strategies to uplift lower-wage workers, support SMEs, and prepare for a post-pandemic economy.

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27 Jul 2021

River Valley High School Incident

The Minister outlined the facts of the River Valley High School incident, detailing the school's and authorities' immediate response, and expressed condolences while noting the matter is before the courts.
The Ministry of Education announced measures to strengthen mental health support in schools, including enhancing the curriculum, deploying more teacher and school counsellors, and reducing examination load for students.
The Minister emphasized a whole-of-society approach, calling on parents, the community, and all Singaporeans to foster a caring environment, reduce stigma around mental health, and collectively look out for one another.

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27 Jul 2021

Extent of Employer's Responsibility for Migrant Domestic Worker's Medical Fees for Treatment Resulting from Worker's Social Activity during Personal Time-off

The government requires employers to pay for migrant domestic workers' medical bills, including those not work-related, and mandates at least $15,000 in annual insurance coverage, which covers about 95% of typical hospital bills.
Employers facing financial hardship can seek assistance from hospital social workers or the Ministry of Manpower, which steps in to help with outlier cases where medical costs exceed insurance limits.
While acknowledging concerns about equity in rare cases where a worker's social activities lead to high medical bills, the government maintains that employers should bear the responsibility to avoid shifting costs to taxpayers and ensure workers receive necessary treatment.

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27 Jul 2021

Singapore's Reliance on Nurses from Philippines and Impact on Local Nursing Workforce Numbers Following Recent Suspension

Singapore relies on Filipino nurses, who make up about 18% of the nursing workforce, and the Ministry of Health is monitoring the impact of the Philippines' suspension on permits while encouraging healthcare employers to diversify recruitment sources.
The local nursing supply has grown, with around 1,400 new local registrations in 2020 compared to 1,200 in 2019, due to past efforts to increase nursing intake in educational institutions.
To address future demand, especially with COVID-19 becoming endemic, Singapore plans to deploy nurses in community care facilities with support from other care providers and technology, reducing the need for intensive nursing care.
The government is implementing a multi-pronged approach to boost local nursing, including salary increases, flexible work arrangements, enhanced professional development, and career pathways to attract more locals, especially mid-career switchers.
Despite current growth in local nursing numbers, there is recognition that more acceleration is needed to meet the increasing demand from an aging population, with ongoing efforts to make the nursing profession more attractive.

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27 Jul 2021

Enforcing Safe Distancing Measures on Trains and Public Buses and Managing Commuter Volume during Phase Three (Heightened Alert)

The Ministry of Transport outlines measures such as enhanced cleaning, mask-wearing, and discouraging talking on public transport, supported by staff and Auxiliary Police to ensure compliance during Phase Three (Heightened Alert).
Commuters are encouraged to first gently remind others who violate measures, then report to transport staff if needed, while operators and LTA may issue fines or involve police for non-compliance.
Employers are urged to adopt flexible work arrangements to stagger commuting times and reduce peak-hour congestion, emphasizing collective responsibility for a safe public transport environment.

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26 Jul 2021

Complaints Received from Employees not Granted Paid Sick Leave for COVID-19-related Conditions and Procedures

Mariam Jaafar asked the Ministry for Manpower whether it has received complaints from employees denied paid sick leave for COVID-19 related conditions such as quarantine orders or severe vaccine side effects, and how many such complaints have been received to date.
Tan See Leng confirmed that employees are legally entitled to paid sick leave if medically certified unfit for work or under quarantine, and can seek help from the Ministry or TADM if denied.
In the past 12 months, TADM handled eight COVID-19 sick leave claims, all resolved through mediation with employers accepting the claims and paying the dues.
Employers have generally been supportive, with some offering additional paid leave beyond entitlements or allowing COVID-19 medical certificates to count towards hospitalisation leave.
The Ministry encourages employers to continue being flexible and compassionate in supporting employees’ sick leave needs during the pandemic.

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26 Jul 2021

Incidences and Contributory Factors of Poor Safety Practices or Inappropriate Procedures Logged at Workplace in Past Year

In the past year, the number of workplace safety incidents logged was around 3,000, a reduction from nearly 9,000 in the previous year, largely due to COVID-19-related suspensions of activities, but common unsafe practices like unguarded openings and poor machinery maintenance remained prevalent.
The impact of the manpower crunch on workplace accidents is unclear, but all stakeholders agree that worker safety must not be compromised regardless of COVID-19 circumstances.
The Ministry supports mental well-being through the WSH Council’s Total WSH Programme, the National WSH Campaign, and the HPB’s Workplace Outreach Wellness Package, offering resources like talks, workshops, and tripartite advisories to help employers and employees maintain a safe and healthy work environment.

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26 Jul 2021

Outcome of Cases of Workplaces Breaching Safe Distancing Measures and Concerns of Effects of Whistle-blowing on Jobs and Businesses

Over 3,500 reports concerning workplace safe distancing breaches were received by MOM during the Phase Two (Heightened Alert) period, with most resolved through clarifications and only 66 resulting in fines.
MOM adopts a balanced approach, focusing on rectifying minor non-compliance rather than penalizing employers unnecessarily to avoid harming businesses and employees.
Whistle-blowers' identities are kept confidential during inspections to address concerns about potential retaliation.

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26 Jul 2021

Measures to Expedite Enforcement of Orders for Removal of Flammable or Hazardous Items from Hoarders' Homes and Surroundings

Don Wee proposed allocating more resources, increasing penalties, allowing authorised personnel to enter homes to remove fire hazards, and mandating counselling for hoarders.
Desmond Lee highlighted that a multi-agency framework coordinates hoarding cases, prioritising threats to public health and safety, with SCDF and other agencies empowered to enter homes for severe risks.
He noted that compulsive hoarding often lacks treatable mental illness and that successful interventions rely on family and community support rather than premature mandated actions.
The government will continue reviewing the need for more legislative powers, manpower, and resources to tackle hoarding issues holistically.

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26 Jul 2021

Rationale for Exclusion of Waist Circumference Measurement in Obesity Screening under Screen for Life Programme

Leon Perera questioned why waist circumference measurement is excluded from the Screen for Life obesity screening despite clinical guidelines recommending its use with BMI to assess disease risk, and asked if it could be included in the programme.
Ong Ye Kung explained that the government follows evidence-based recommendations from the Screening Test Review Committee, which finds both BMI and waist circumference suitable for population screening, but BMI was prioritised initially for practicality in mass screenings.
The Ministry of Health confirmed that waist circumference measurement will soon be added to the Screen for Life programme to assess abdominal obesity and cardiovascular risk, complementing the existing BMI test.

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26 Jul 2021

Breakdown of Inpatient Admission Rates and Outpatient Attendance Rates of Singaporean HDB Residents over Age 65 by Flat Type and Residents with Barrier-free Access from Their Homes to Lift Landings

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Health for statistics on outpatient and inpatient service utilisation rates among HDB residents aged 65 and above, broken down by flat type and over the past three years, and for data on barrier-free home-to-lift access.
The Minister responded that service utilisation rates have generally remained stable, with residents of smaller HDB flats showing higher use of inpatient and polyclinic services but lower use of specialist outpatient clinics.
The Government has ensured barrier-free access in new HDB estates and upgraded most blocks via the Lift Upgrading Programme, while offering a Lift Access Housing Grant for the remaining flats without direct lift access.

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26 Jul 2021

Quarantine Procedure for Arriving Foreign Domestic Workers and Circumstances for Their Early Release from Stay-Home Notices

Hazel Poa asked about the quarantine procedures for arriving foreign domestic workers (FDWs), the circumstances for early release from Stay-Home Notices (SHNs), and the number of FDWs released early.
Ong Ye Kung explained that FDWs with recent travel history to higher-risk regions undergo a 14-day SHN at a dedicated facility, with PCR tests on arrival and Day 14, and self-administered ART tests on Days 3, 7, and 11.
Release from SHN requires a negative Day 14 PCR test, with no mention of early release conditions or statistics provided in the response.

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